They told us for their anniversary they would like to take us on this big boat and float around on the water for a week or so.....

So, we trying to be respectful of their wishes, said, " Okay, we'll go". Ha!

Through the years one thing my parent have taught through their lives is that it's all about giving to others. I want to follow their example in this.

I hope I can.

Big shoes to fill!

Several years ago I wrote this little page about my feelings of them.

What my parents did right…

I grew up not all that different than any other kid. We had a 4 bedroom home with a sandbox and swing in the back yard. I had lots of time to play games of make believe and whiffle ball. It wasn’t till I was a little bit older that I realized our home was a lttle bit different than that of many of my friends.For a period of time I thought all homes had constant traffic in and out its doors. I believed that everyone went to church when the doors were opened. And that everyone knew what it was like to creep through the dark basement and halls of the church after everyone had left.I thought that normal meant having the communion bread and juice brought home and later partaking as my brother and I re-enacted the morning church service in the afternoon.

But I came to realize that something was unusual about my home. You see, it was my parents who, in times of crisis were often the first to be called even though it was the middle of the night. I saw my dad and mom going to homes, or hospitals at all hours. I saw them fervently praying for deliverance for individuals. They often planed their lives around others. Trying to plan for vacation can be hard when an elderly person is near death. Seeing my mother set another plate without a word of complaint because an extra person showed up that she had not planned for.Evangelist who would come for a week of meetings would always be welcomed and treated special in our home. I watched as my father worked a full week at his job, led Wednesday evening prayer meeting, went to numerous church activities and listened to the needs of his parishioners as they would arise. Only to find that it was Saturday and tomorrow he needed to bring a fresh message to his people. All the things he gave up to be locked in his study on Saturdays.

As you may have guessed my father was a pastor of a church.I don’t know, but I assume that when the job description was given to him, at the tender age of 25 the words sacrifice and flexibility were not in bold letters.

But what I witnessed could only be described as sacrificial. My parents have literally sacrificed their own lives for the sake of Christ and his body. I didn’t hear them complain that this was their lot in life. They gave and gave even when they were emotionally and physically drained.They showed me what the face of flexibility looks like. When something wasn’t quite the way they planned for they took it with stride. They gave me an example of sacrifice as they squashed their own desires for the sake of the body. They let me know that service to Christ is more important than always being comfortable. They gave me a wonderful gift.I haven’t always viewed it like this.

This legacy is what I want to pass to my children. I only hope they will see in me a small amount of the kind of dedication that I saw in my parents.I hope someday they will look on my life and see that I followed that example of sacrifice, of laying down my own desires for them and for others.Of being flexible when things were not how I would have planned.Of learning how to love others the way Christ loves me.

Thank you mom and dad, the world is a better place because you have been here.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I remember well when I was a little girl the wonder that Christmas held for me.I don't think it was the fact that I got all these fabulous gifts because really....

I didn't.

Oh except for one year. I had seen this amazing doll, I loooved baby dolls!!And I knew she wanted me as badly as I needed her!The new Baby Alive!She was the cutest little thing I had ever laid eyes on! And the best thing about her.....She could be fed this special kind of drink and food and a few minutes later she would dispense it into a special diaper!Yes sir! I thought that was so cool! Don't ask me why!

So this year as we are browsing through the aisles my sweet little one spotted this most adorable baby that has now had a makeover from the 80's which includes 17 phrases that she says along with the same special trick she does in her diaper!

Sophie fell in love with her instantly! She said, "mom can I have her??"

My thoughts of yesterday came flooding in.What little girl doesn't need one of these precious dolls?

So yesterday I trudged out in the blustery weather to make a little purchase for my little one's Christmas. I found the very last one sitting on the bottom shelf. I grabbed it up along with a couple of extra diaper packages (6 for 5.78~) just in case. You know middle of the night changing?Actually my mind was considering the possibilities of catching the food at the bottom and somehow reusing both the diaper and the pretend food.....Cheap I know!

As I happily get into line at the check out counter I am excited that her gift has been purchased and I can start focusing on someone else when I hear the lady at the check out counter start chatting with the woman in front of me.

"I can never understand why anyone would want one of these dolls? What is all the fuss?I mean that's one of worst things about having a baby....I have enough messes with my 4 year old let alone buying something that will make more messes!!! I would never ever buy one of those dolls!"The lady in front of me in line is nodding and politely smiling and saying, "yes, yes I know".I feel like I am eavesdropping so I don't know whether to join the conversation already in progress about my ill thought out purchase or if I should just pretend I don't hear any of what she is saying, clearly loud enough for me to hear.I chose the second option as I busily continuing loading up the belt with my groceries.She, in time, commenced her dislike for my doll and I just "read" the magazine covers until it was my turn.When it was finally my turn to check out I held my breath as she began....Was she going to go off on me? But much to my joy she didn't say one word....not one word about my tricky baby! HA!

She was right. It will be a mess to clean up. And I am not so far removed from messy diapers that I have a longing to change one again.

But....

My little girl is going to be so happy

And

I will get to once again have the pleasure of the doll of my past in the house.

Recreating the past is what gives me joy.Recreating traditions and memories.Smells of the same things I had as a child year after year.Making sure the same stories are being told and that even though things may look a little different recognizing that this year I am making memories for my children.